Our 2012 fall arts and craft fair guide

Craft fairs dot the suburbs from now through the December holidays -- a perfect place to go shopping for some creative, handmade gifts.

Daily Herald report

Sept. 29

Holmstad Bazaar: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 in the Town Center at The Holmstad Covenant Retirement Community, 700 W. Fabyan Parkway, Batavia. The 35th annual bazaar will feature a handmade quilt raffle. The event is planned and run entirely by the residents. Fourteen different shops will offer goods for sale. Visit www.theholmstad.org.

Faith Lutheran Church Fall Fest: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, 431 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Fall plants and decorations available for purchase. There will be entertainment and activities for children. Flu shots available for adults and children (for a fee). Admission free. (847) 253-4839 or faithlutheran-ah.org.

Community Artists Craft Festival: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 at the Unity Spiritual Center of Woodstock, 225 W. Calhoun St. Jail Brakers, the charitable organization that supports families coping with the incarceration of loved ones, is looking for crafters to participate. Artists and artisans who want to display their wares should call Judy at (815) 363-0952. For information on the work of Jail Brakers, visit www.jailbrakers.org.

St. John the Baptist Holiday Fair: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6; 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7, 0S233 Church St., Winfield. Sponsored by the Council of Catholic Women the annual holiday fair features home baked goods, crafts, jewelry, religious items, a raffle and the This and That Shop. For information, call Venessa, (630) 336-5414.

Fall Diddley: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, at the Boone County Fairgrounds, off Route 76, north of Business Route 20 in Belvidere. The 27th annual juried craft show features artisans from all over the U.S. Admission is $6 for ages 12 and older; free parking. Proceeds benefit the Mental Health Resource League of McHenry County. For details, call (815) 385-5745 or visit mhrl.org.

Oct. 27

Fair Trade Fair: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, Zion Lutheran Church, 330 Griswold St., Elgin. The sixth annual fair trade will offer a variety of crafts and wares from around the world as well as items produced by cooperatives in the U.S. Enjoy a light lunch for a small fee, get a chance to win a raffle prize or purchase goods at the bake sale. For details, visit www.zionelginil.org.

Holiday Bazaar: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at Cary United Methodist Church, 500 First St. in Cary. The United Methodist Women will hold a Holiday Bazaar featuring handmade gifts and home decor items from Admission is free. Proceeds will go to local charities. For details, visit caryumc.org.

Mothers Club of Geneva: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, Geneva High School, 416 McKinley High School, Geneva. The 38th annual arts and crafts show will feature more than 100 crafters. There also will be a bake sale and raffle baskets. All proceeds will benefit area philanthropic programs. Visit mothersclubofgeneva.org.

Christmas on the Fox Art and Craft Show: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24 and Sunday, Nov. 25, Kane County Expo Center at the Kane County Fairgrounds, off Randall Road between routes 64 and 38, St. Charles.There is a $3 admission charge. The art and craft show features the handmade arts and crafts of approximately 70 artisans. There will be baked goods, fresh baked bread, homemade salsas and sauces, and chocolate lollipops. There will be jewelry, handmade soaps and lotions, crochet scarves, fine woodworking, quilts, personalized ornaments, painted gourds, folk art and photography. Fun recycled art and Christmas decor in abundance will be for sale at the show.For information, contact Art of the Heartland Inc. at (815) 772-3279 or email rareed57@yahoo.com. Visit www.artoftheheartlandinc.com.

Christmas Sweets and Crafts Shop: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 in the Fireside Room at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St. in West Dundee. The fourth annual crafts shop is being held during Dickens in Dundee, the annual festival which takes place across from the church in Grafelman Park. For information, call the church office, (847) 426-2113 or visit firstumcdundee.net.

Dec. 7

Cookie Walk: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7 at Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, 110 S. Second St. The 30th annual Cookie Walk featuring dozen cookies of all kinds. Customers fill their boxes any way they choose all one kind or mix-and-match. Reservations for Cookie Walk are not required but lines do form early and favorite varieties sell out fast. Visit www.uusg.org.

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